Dear Florham Park Neighbor,
I hope everyone is having a good year! I am proud to say that our beautiful Borough is reaping the rewards of being blessed with outstanding employees and volunteers with a shared commitment to make Florham Park the best community in which to live and work. I can honestly say that our slogan “A Community of Volunteers” really means something in Florham Park, and resonates throughout our entire Borough. Even in these challenging times, volunteers continue to be the life blood of our community. In particular, I would like to take this opportunity to express how grateful we all should be for our First Aid Squad and Firefighter volunteers and the commitment they make in order to protect us. It is my pleasure and honor to extend our great thanks to these two essential service organizations. I cannot implore others in the public enough to think about joining one of these organizations. If you can contribute your services and valuable time to either of these great organizations, please contact them. This is a great way to get involved in the community and we need you to keep this fine tradition going. While I have highlighted the First Aid Squad and Fire Department, I would be remiss without thanking and recognizing all the other volunteers on our various boards, commissions and committees as well as our youth coaches. Thank you for all you do!
As in many of our own households this year, fiscal challenges were among the top concerns for the Borough as we began 2009. It certainly does not look like the outlook is going to get any better for 2010 as our community is not immune to what goes on around us. We have all read the newspaper headlines about the State’s budget deficit and the economic crisis. Rest assured, in the face of these State and National economic problems, the Borough Council and Administration made a commitment this year, or shall I say, more of a commitment, to being as ethical and respectful of the public treasury as possible. That commitment has a long tradition here in Florham Park and has been the case long before I ever stepped into office. In this challenging financial climate, this Governing Body is pledged to continue that commitment.
As we enter 2010, the Borough continues to boldly step up to the challenges that every municipality is now facing. One measure the governing body has taken was to incorporate the Sewerage Authority, which was a separate independent entity, into the Borough as a utility. This merger removed unnecessary layers of government, reduced costs, promoted efficiencies and sharing of equipment, manpower and services and improved economic efficiencies within the Borough. It will also provide us with fiscal stability in the upcoming years. The Sewer Utility staff are now members of our team working towards the goals of our Borough.
We continue to aggressively defend commercial tax appeals. Through these efforts we have successfully reduced the projected liability by over $2 million dollars. I am happy to announce that simultaneously, as a result of new construction and renovations to pre-existing structures, the ratable base for the Borough has actually increased this year by approximately $3 million dollars. This trend will continue as the general economy improves and the commercial development on Park Avenue by the Jets complex begins as well as other commercial projects that have been approved by the Planning Board. Due to these projects, our Borough is favorably positioned to be well ahead of the economic recovery curve.
We also received funding from the Green Acres and Open Space programs which will allow the Borough to purchase five properties surrounding Stobaeus Park. This project is expected to move to its next phase in the spring. This land will eventually be incorporated into the Borough Park and Board of Education facilities. We plan to have a paved walkway connecting Stobeaus Park to the Briarwood/Brooklake Schools. This plan will improve our recreation facilities while maintaining our remaining precious open spaces.
As always, we look forward to the largest event in our Borough which is our famous July 4th Celebration. This event was successful in 2009 thanks to the combined efforts of our volunteers and the Department of Pubic Works. This year’s theme will be commemorating “100 Years of Scouting.”
The Gazebo committee also had an outstanding year in 2009 again due to the efforts of our wonderful volunteers. The Gazebo, which has received non-profit status for donations, is looking forward to an outstanding line-up of artists while celebrating their 30 year anniversary in 2010. We hope to see you there!
Most notably, construction commenced on the Senior Center on December 14, 2009. This project is expected to be completed by late summer 2010. This will fulfill a long awaited promise by the Borough to provide a place for our seniors to gather, meet and socialize.
We worked on completing four memorials at Germershausen Park this year, including: A memorial to Paul Trautman, Veterans of All Wars, and the September 11th 2001 memorial which will be formally dedicated at a ceremony this spring. I would like to extend a big thank you to the Environmental Commission, our Police Chief Pat Montuore, and the Council members for all of their hard work on this project. Rest assured, this project is not complete, and the work is ongoing for 2010.
The Environmental Commission will continue their hard work this year on the Spring Garden Lake restoration project. Last year a floating wetland system was installed to improve water quality and the Commission removed over a ton of trash from the lake. Plans for this year include installation of a dock, bridge and improvement of the trails around the lake. Our goal is to enable the entire community to enjoy this local treasure.
In the Recreation area we are beginning long overdue work to improve our existing facilities at Emmet Park and elsewhere while we are waiting for completion of the Elm Street project.
Florham Park faced many challenges in 2009, but our employees and volunteers have faced each trial with diligence and a dedication that epitomizes our Borough. 2010 will not be without its struggles, although I have every confidence that hard work and dedication will bring us through another successful year.
Despite all of our challenges, we have many goals for this year. We will complete construction of the Senior Center, begin work on the Elm Street Recreation Complex and continue to improve our fields and facilities for the residents of Florham Park. We will accomplish these goals despite the fiscal challenges in our State and in our Nation and will continue to serve the residents to the best of our ability and will continue providing stellar services. This community is successful because we pull together, especially in difficult times.
As we enter 2010, the financial and fiscal challenges will be even greater. I am confident we will weather this storm because we will continue to rely on the many talents in our community— and our most valuable asset—YOU, to face and defeat our obstacles. A great coach once said, “Obstacles are only the things we see when we take our eyes off our goals .”Our goal is to have a community that we are proud to call “home”. A community in which we are proud to raise our children. A community that will remain affordable enough for our parents to live after our children are raised and we have forged a life time of memories and relationships. A community where someday our children will be able to come back here and live here as well.
Thank you, and God Bless you all!
R. Scott Eveland, Mayor
